News

National 2011 Awards

The Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) celebrated the close of its Golden Anniversary year with the 51st Annual National Awards at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on November 12th, 2011. 

National Award and AIH Sponsor representatives from Agrifoodskills, Fitzpatrick & Co, Fairfax Magazines, Australian Horticulture Magazine, AIMS AustralAsia, Horticultural Training Pty Ltd and Azarel Horticultural P/L assisted with the awards celebrations. Members from as far as Hong Kong attended the occasion. Nine of the Institute’s 15 Fellows travelled from all points of Australia to attend the awards dinner.

The war memorial venue gave our masterful MC, AIH Fellow Don Burke, OAM, the unusual challenge of engaging the horticulturally inclined diners, doing so with a wonderful story of F/O Wal Upton, WWII RAF veteran and acknowledged Orchid species authority. 

Guest speaker Adam Burgess, Curator National Arboretum, presented an interesting overview of the the History, design and planning of the new Arboretum that evolved after the devastating fires of Canberra. The following day Adam lead an enthusiastic bunch of ‘Horties’ in a tour of the arboretum describing the specifics of the design intent of the park.

The support of the venue and caterers, through Hyatt Canberra Hotel ensured a successful and entertaining night and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The awards were received with much acclaim, with very deserving recipients.

Don Burke MC and Adam Burgess Curator National Arboretum

Horticulturist of the Year Award

The AIH Award of Horticulturist of the Year (HOY) is an annual event offering a unique opportunity to publicly recognise an outstanding AIH member. By profiling the excellence of AIH members in this way it is hoped to both inspire and challenge horticulturists in their practice and to promote their skills and achievements to the public. This Award is to be presented for their outstanding contribution to a horticultural project of merit, including horticulture education or horticulture media.

Arno King FAIH AILA, Assoc Director, Deicke Richards Architects/Landscape Architects, Brisbane, for the project Kim Walters Choices Program Garden Wesley Hospital Brisbane

Arno King HOY receiving award from sponsor Carolyn Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Insurance.

Golden Wattle Award

The AIH Golden Wattle Award is an award of significance to an outstanding horticulturist. This is the highest award of industry recognition to be given to a horticulturist whose practice has advanced the profession of horticulture in Australia. The criteria for consideration for the AIH Award, is nomination of a member who has demonstrated sustained exemplary conduct as a professional horticulturist. One who has brought significant benefit to the profession by his or her work and deeds and who has excelled in the profession of horticulture during the history of AIH Incorporation in 1960.

Golden Wattle award recipient Colin Campbell, from sponsor Annette Irish, AIMS.

Horticulture Student of the Year

The award is based on a student or recent graduate who has achieved exemplary outcomes during their time as a student, and a student who has shown that their input into the industry will provide benefits to the Horticulture industry.

John Baker, Chair Agrifoodskills Australia presents Horticulture Student of Year award to recipient Marian Radecker.

Award of Excellence

Tony Curry MAIH – services to education and botanical research

Tony has a passion for education and plants and has promoted the advancement of horticulture in Australia and elsewhere through a range of outstanding projects such as Australian plant collection trips , Research work through projects such as the Project Camellia Team and the Centre for Biodiversity and Development, Ho Chi Minh City; the Vietnam Herbarium as well as Cat Tien and Bidoup-Nui Ba National Parks documenting the occurrence of camellias and Theaceae in these areas with the aim of developing reference collections.

Award of Merit

This award is nominated for products or services that benefit horticulture industry or learning. The award this year was presented to subTropical Gardening magazine – Paul Plant FAIH; Editor & Publisher

The publication of subTropical Gardening magazine has proven to be an invaluable resource not just for local gardeners, but for many professional horticulturists.
The strong focus on suitable plant selection, culture and availability of rare or unusual species for those who garden in this unpredictable subtropical climate, is an invaluable tool. Both new comers and well seasoned gardeners can confidently draw from information provided by local highly respected garden authorities, for local gardeners. Its refreshing to find a magazine of this kind whose sole focus is precise quality content coupled with inspirational images, that a gardener can truly sink his (or her) spade into.

Fellowships 

Vicki Still FAIH

Vicki Still has been a stalwart representative of ACT and National Councils for over a decade holding positions of President, Secretary, Committee member and National Council member. Her involvement on behalf of AIH has ranged from seminars, events, organising ACT industry affiliation and partnerships and providing support to the education of apprentices and representation on apprenticeship committees. She also supports young entrants into the industry through employing apprentices. Vicki continues to be involved in horticulture media by hosting the ABC garden radio show when the presenter, Graham Williams is away after hosting the garden show on Radio 2CC every Saturday and Sunday.

Her horticultural activities within public and school communities and her business acumen have earned her a number of awards such as AIH Horticulturist of the Year 2006 and Telstra Business Woman of the Year ACT 2009. Vicki has truly met the criteria to be conferred the honour of Fellowship of AIH.

Vicki Still FAIH receives award from Colin Campbell OAM FAIH

Paul Scholtens FAIH

Paul has been an active member of the Institute for more than four decades holding member number 177. For over ten years Pauls served in the positions of National Secretary, State President, Secretary and Treasurer as well as National Vice President holding a number of executive positions as well as contributing substantially as a general member.

Paul was the first Certified Practising Horticulturist in 2001 and still holds the distinction of CPH Principal. He has willingly shared his horticultural knowledge with others in the industry through seminars and AIH workshops. Paul has made exceptional contributions of significance to the horticultural landscape of the ACT and surrounding regions and influenced government policy through his representations. His contributions to AIH and industry are significant and he has been conferred as a Fellow.

Formal launch Registered Horticulturist

AIH Registered Horticulturist program, having its soft launch in September 2011, presented one of its first registrants - Toni Salter MAIH RH – with certificate number 0003. This AIH managed program is the only program to recognise horticulturists for their professional standing across all sectors of horticulture.

Toni commented that ‘the benefits of joining an exclusive group of fellow professionals was being ranked at the top of the profession, as acknowledged by its peers. She is confident that this will open many new opportunities in employment and business. The ongoing personal development as a Registered Horticulturist will provide the most up to date information as a powerful tool in the industry, with an added advantage of attracting reduced professional insurance fees and other future programmes through AIH”.

NSW Young Horticulturist of the Year 

Kate Fraser - Winner

What does becoming Young Horticulturist of The Year involve?

The award funds a student's or recent graduate's exciting, innovative or sustainably-oriented project that provides benefits to the horticulture industry and/or develops their choice of horticulture as a career.

Ros Andrews , trustee, Ryde School of Horticulture Student’s Trust, NSW Young Horticulturist of the Year , was delighted to announce the award for a project that will be of benefit to both horticulturists and the general public. The 2011 winner is a recently graduated student from Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE at the Ryde campus.

Kate Fraser receives NSW Young Horticulturist of the Year award

Announcement of Establishment of Life Membership

AIH National Council considered and approved the establishment of the category of Life Membership for AIH. Criteria are based upon minimum 65 years of age, 20 years AIH membership and outstanding contribution to AIH and industry. The nominations and consideration for membership will arise only from within the National Council and ratified by the National Executive. Life Memberships will not be issued every year and are reliant on strong evidence of the criteria as set. Life Membership will bear no cost to the recipient, but continue to receive the same benefits of full members.

National Council accepted the nomination of Nan Barbour from Kim Morris, National President, proposed by Annette Irish, in his absence. The National Council voted unanimously in favour of the nomination. The new Membership category will be required to be ratified under the constitution by members in a special resolution. The special resolution will be open to members for voting in the new year.

Registered Horticulturist Program

The Registered Horticulturist program provides a pathway for existing professionals at all levels to be recognised and acknowledged across the community for the essential role they play in Australia’s horticulture industry sectors.

Download the PDF brochure: Click here
Download the application form: Click here
Download the Professional Experience form: Click here
Download the Continuing Professional Development Programme and Registered Horticulturist summary: Click here